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Professor Jimmy Botella
Professor

Jimmy Botella

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51128

Overview

Background

Dr Botella's research interests are in genetic engineering, molecular biology and signal transduction in plants.

Dr. Jimmy Botella is Professor of Plant Biotechnology at the University of Queensland. He obtained a degree in Quantum Chemistry from the University of Madrid (Spain) and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Malaga (Spain). After postdoctoral positions at Michigan State University and Pennsylvania State University he joined the University of Queensland in 1995. At UQ he founded the Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory (PGEL) specialising in the fields of tropical and subtropical agricultural biotechnology for almost 15 years. J. Botella has eleven international patents in the field of Plant Biotechnology and is a founding member of two biotechnology companies (Coridon Ltd. and Origo Biotech).

Dr Botella is a member of the Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology research group.

Some highlights of the Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory’s research:

  • Production and field trial of the world’s first genetically modified pineapples with genetic constructs to control flowering time. These pineapples will allow farmer control over harvesting times.
  • Development of a new technology to confer protection against nematode infestation.
  • Discovery of a gene that can confer resistance to the devastating fungus Fusarium oxysporum in plants.
  • Development of a new technology to confer protection against pathogenic fungi in plants.

Research interests

Dr. Botella’s research has two major foci: basic cell biology and applied biotechnology. In cell biology he is interested in studying the function of the Heterotrimeric G proteins in plants. This family of proteins is extremely important in humans but their role in pant systems is still largely unknown. Dr. Botella’s research has strongly contributed to the current body of knowledge available in plants with critical contributions such as the discovery and characterization of the first plant gamma subunits and the establishment of these subunits as the critical element conferring function specificity to all plant G proteins. Dr. Botella’s team has also discovered the important role that these proteins play in defense against pathogens. New and unpublished data has now revealed that G proteins are important yield enhancing factors in crops such as rice. Another research interest resides in the communication between plants and insects. There is plenty of knowledge of how important smell, volatiles emitted by the plant, is for foraging insects in order to determine their host preferences. Nevertheless, most of the available studies have been performed using synthetic chemicals in artificial experimental settings. Dr. Botella’s team and collaborators have genetically engineered plants to produce different volatile mixes in the flowers in order to perform in vivo behavioral studies in insects.

Biotechnology research at the Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory mostly arises from discoveries made in basic research. The PGEL focuses in tropical and subtropical crops. These crops have attracted little attention in terms of biotechnology but are essential sources of food and energy for a large part of the world’s population, especially in Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The PGEL has developed a number of platform technologies that can be applied to multiple crops in order to confer resistance to pathogens, modify plant architecture and control flowering time.

Current research projects include:

  • Plant heterotrimeric G proteins: New roles in defence, stomatal control and ABA perception.
  • Putting smells into context: using in vivo technologies to understand plant-insect odour communication.
  • Use of host-derived RNA interference technology to control plant pathogens (especially pathogenic fungi and nematodes).
  • Control of Fusarium wilt disease.
  • Genetic improvement of grain crops.
  • Genetic engineering research projects

Availability

Professor Jimmy Botella is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Quantum Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Biochemistry, unknown

Works

Search Professor Jimmy Botella’s works on UQ eSpace

182 works between 1986 and 2024

81 - 100 of 182 works

2014

Journal Article

Molecular inversion probe: a new tool for highly specific detection of plant pathogens

Lau, Han Yih, Palanisamy, Ramkumar, Trau, Matt and Botella, Jose R. (2014). Molecular inversion probe: a new tool for highly specific detection of plant pathogens. PLoS One, 9 (10) e111182, e111182.1-e111182.9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111182

Molecular inversion probe: a new tool for highly specific detection of plant pathogens

2014

Journal Article

EST sequencing of Meloidogyne javanica infected pineapple root tissues reveals changes in gene expression during root-knot nematode induced gall formation

Moyle, Richard L. and Botella, Jose R. (2014). EST sequencing of Meloidogyne javanica infected pineapple root tissues reveals changes in gene expression during root-knot nematode induced gall formation. Tropical Plant Biology, 7 (2), 43-52. doi: 10.1007/s12042-014-9136-6

EST sequencing of Meloidogyne javanica infected pineapple root tissues reveals changes in gene expression during root-knot nematode induced gall formation

2013

Journal Article

Heterotrimeric G proteins serve as a converging point in plant defense signaling activated by multiple receptor-like kinases

Liu, Jinman, Ding, Pingtao, Sun, Tongjun, Nitta, Yukino, Dong, Oliver, Huang, Xingchuan, Yang, Wei, Li, Xin, Botella, Jose Ramon and Zhang, Yuelin (2013). Heterotrimeric G proteins serve as a converging point in plant defense signaling activated by multiple receptor-like kinases. Plant Physiology, 161 (4), 2146-2158. doi: 10.1104/pp.112.212431

Heterotrimeric G proteins serve as a converging point in plant defense signaling activated by multiple receptor-like kinases

2013

Journal Article

Heterotrimeric G protein signalling in the plant kingdom

Urano, Daisuke, Chen, Jin-Gui, Botella, Jose Ramon and Jones, Alan M. (2013). Heterotrimeric G protein signalling in the plant kingdom. Open Biology, 3 (MAR) 120186, 1-22. doi: 10.1098/rsob.120186

Heterotrimeric G protein signalling in the plant kingdom

2013

Journal Article

Pineapple translation factor SUI1 and ribosomal protein L36 promoters drive constitutive transgene expression patterns in Arabidopsis thaliana

Koia, Jonni, Moyle, Richard, Hendry, Caroline, Lim, Lionel and Botella, Jose Ramon (2013). Pineapple translation factor SUI1 and ribosomal protein L36 promoters drive constitutive transgene expression patterns in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Molecular Biology, 81 (4-5), 327-336. doi: 10.1007/s11103-012-0002-3

Pineapple translation factor SUI1 and ribosomal protein L36 promoters drive constitutive transgene expression patterns in Arabidopsis thaliana

2013

Journal Article

Signaling specificity provided by the Arabidopsis thaliana Heterotrimeric G-Protein gamma subunits AGG1 and AGG2 is partially but not exclusively provided through transcriptional regulation

Thung, Leena, Chakravorty, David, Trusov, Yuri, Jones, Alan M. and Botella, Jose Ramon (2013). Signaling specificity provided by the Arabidopsis thaliana Heterotrimeric G-Protein gamma subunits AGG1 and AGG2 is partially but not exclusively provided through transcriptional regulation. PLoS One, 8 (3) e58503, e58503.1-e58503.11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058503

Signaling specificity provided by the Arabidopsis thaliana Heterotrimeric G-Protein gamma subunits AGG1 and AGG2 is partially but not exclusively provided through transcriptional regulation

2013

Book Chapter

Fusarium oxysporum infection assays in Arabidopsis

Trusov, Yuri, Chakravorty, David and Botella, Jose Ramon (2013). Fusarium oxysporum infection assays in Arabidopsis. G protein-coupled receptor signaling in plants: methods and protocols. (pp. 67-72) edited by Mark P. Running. New York, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-532-3_7

Fusarium oxysporum infection assays in Arabidopsis

2012

Journal Article

Microarray analysis of gene expression profiles in ripening pineapple fruits

Koia, Jonni H., Moyle, Richard L. and Botella, Jose R. (2012). Microarray analysis of gene expression profiles in ripening pineapple fruits. BMC Plant Biology, 12 (1) 240, 240.1-240.13. doi: 10.1186/1471-2229-12-240

Microarray analysis of gene expression profiles in ripening pineapple fruits

2012

Journal Article

Can heterotrimeric G proteins help to feed the world?

Botella, Jose Ramon (2012). Can heterotrimeric G proteins help to feed the world?. Trends in Plant Science, 17 (10), 563-568. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2012.06.002

Can heterotrimeric G proteins help to feed the world?

2012

Journal Article

New faces in plant innate immunity: heterotrimeric G proteins

Trusov, Yuri and Botella, Jose Ramon (2012). New faces in plant innate immunity: heterotrimeric G proteins. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 21 (1), S40-S47. doi: 10.1007/s13562-012-0140-3

New faces in plant innate immunity: heterotrimeric G proteins

2012

Journal Article

Dissecting Arabidopsis Gβ signal transduction on the protein surface1[W][OA]

Jiang, Kun, Frick-Cheng, Arwen, Trusov, Yuri, Delgado-Cerezo, Magdalena, Rosenthal, David M., Lorek, Justine, Panstruga, Ralph, Booker, Fitzgerald L., Botella, Jose Ramon, Molina, Antonio, Ort, Donald R. and Jones, Alan M. (2012). Dissecting Arabidopsis Gβ signal transduction on the protein surface1[W][OA]. Plant Physiology, 159 (3), 975-983. doi: 10.1104/pp.112.196337

Dissecting Arabidopsis Gβ signal transduction on the protein surface1[W][OA]

2012

Journal Article

G gamma 1+G gamma 2+G gamma 3=G beta: The search for heterotrimeric G-protein gamma subunits in Arabidopsis is over

Thung, Leena, Trusov, Yuri, Chakravorty, David and Botella, Jose Ramon (2012). G gamma 1+G gamma 2+G gamma 3=G beta: The search for heterotrimeric G-protein gamma subunits in Arabidopsis is over. Journal of Plant Physiology, 169 (5), 542-545. doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2011.11.010

G gamma 1+G gamma 2+G gamma 3=G beta: The search for heterotrimeric G-protein gamma subunits in Arabidopsis is over

2012

Journal Article

Site-directed mutagenesis of the Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G protein beta subunit suggests divergent mechanisms of effector activation between plant and animal G proteins

Chakravorty, David, Trusov, Yuri and Botella, Jose Ramon (2012). Site-directed mutagenesis of the Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G protein beta subunit suggests divergent mechanisms of effector activation between plant and animal G proteins. Planta, 235 (3), 615-627. doi: 10.1007/s00425-011-1526-5

Site-directed mutagenesis of the Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G protein beta subunit suggests divergent mechanisms of effector activation between plant and animal G proteins

2012

Journal Article

Diversity of heterotrimeric G-protein subunits in plants

Trusov, Yuri, Chakravorty, David and Botella, Jose Ramon (2012). Diversity of heterotrimeric G-protein subunits in plants. BMC Research Notes, 5 (1) 608, 608.1-608.9. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-608

Diversity of heterotrimeric G-protein subunits in plants

2011

Journal Article

Increased plant volatile production affects oviposition, but not larval development, in the moth Helicoverpa armigera

McCallum, Emily J., Cunningham, John Paul, Lücker, Joost, Zalucki, Myron P., De Voss, James J . and Botella, José R. (2011). Increased plant volatile production affects oviposition, but not larval development, in the moth Helicoverpa armigera. Journal of Experimental Biology, 214 (21), 3672-3677. doi: 10.1242/jeb.059923

Increased plant volatile production affects oviposition, but not larval development, in the moth Helicoverpa armigera

2011

Journal Article

An atypical heterotrimeric G-protein gamma-subunit is involved in guard cell K+-channel regulation and morphological development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Chakravorty, David, Trusov, Yuri, Zhang, Wei, Acharya, Biswa R., Sheahan, Michael B., McCurdy, David W., Assmann, Sarah M. and Botella, José Ramón (2011). An atypical heterotrimeric G-protein gamma-subunit is involved in guard cell K+-channel regulation and morphological development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Journal, 67 (5), 840-851. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2011.04638.x

An atypical heterotrimeric G-protein gamma-subunit is involved in guard cell K+-channel regulation and morphological development in Arabidopsis thaliana

2011

Journal Article

Arabidopsis G-protein interactome reveals connections to cell wall carbohydrates and morphogenesis

Klopffleisch, Karsten, Phan, Nguyen, Augustin, Kelsey, Bayne, Robert S., Booker, Katherine S., Botella, Jose R., Carpita, Nicholas C., Carr, Tyrell, Chen, Jin-Gui, Cooke, Thomas Ryan, Frick-Cheng, Arwen, Friedman, Erin J., Fulk, Brandon, Hahn, Michael G., Jiang, Kun, Jorda, Lucia, Kruppe, Lydia, Liu, Chenggang, Lorek, Justine, McCann, Maureen C., Molina, Antonio, Moriyama, Etsuko N., Mukhtar, M. Shahid, Mudgil, Yashwanti, Pattathil, Sivakumar, Schwarz, John, Seta, Steven, Tan, Matthew, Temp, Ulrike ... Jones, Alan M. (2011). Arabidopsis G-protein interactome reveals connections to cell wall carbohydrates and morphogenesis. Molecular Systems Biology, 7 (1) 532, 532.1-532.7. doi: 10.1038/msb.2011.66

Arabidopsis G-protein interactome reveals connections to cell wall carbohydrates and morphogenesis

2010

Journal Article

The 5' untranslated region of the VR-ACS1 mRNA acts as a strong translational enhancer in plants

Wever, Willem, McCallum, Emily J., Chakravorty, David, Cazzonelli, Christopher I. and Botella, José R. (2010). The 5' untranslated region of the VR-ACS1 mRNA acts as a strong translational enhancer in plants. Transgenic Research, 19 (4), 667-674. doi: 10.1007/s11248-009-9332-6

The 5' untranslated region of the VR-ACS1 mRNA acts as a strong translational enhancer in plants

2010

Book Chapter

G Proteins and Plant Innate Immunity

Trusov, Yuri, Jorda, Lucia, Molina, Antonio and Botella, Jose Ramon (2010). G Proteins and Plant Innate Immunity. Integrated G Proteins Signaling in Plants. (pp. 221-250) edited by Shaul Yalovsky, Frantisek Baluska and Alan Jones. Netherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-03524-1

G Proteins and Plant Innate Immunity

2009

Journal Article

Biochemical characterization of arabidopsis developmentally regulated G-proteins (DRGs)

O'Connell, A, Robin, G, Kobe, B and Botella, JR (2009). Biochemical characterization of arabidopsis developmentally regulated G-proteins (DRGs). PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION, 67 (2), 88-95. doi: 10.1016/j.pep.2009.05.009

Biochemical characterization of arabidopsis developmentally regulated G-proteins (DRGs)

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024
    Addressing the rapid emergence of Cassava Witches Broom Disease in Laos (CIAT administered ACIAR grant)
    International Center for Tropical Agriculture
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Delivery of a pest and disease diagnostic step change for sugarcane industry
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Point of management assays for early detection of pig enteric and respiratory disease
    Australian Pork
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Services to test mill juice samples for RSD using the LAMP method
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Pre-commercial development, testing and validation of RSD LAMP assay for sugar mill roll-out.
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Maximising pineapple production for Australian farmers using genome editing
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Establishing sustainable solutions to cassava diseases in mainland Southeast Asia (ACIAR grant administered by CIAT)
    International Center for Tropical Agriculture
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    RSD detection at the sugar factory - disease detection blueprint
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Disease diagnostics for small cocoa farmers in West Africa
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Maximising pineapple production - Refining gene editing method for pineapple genetic improvement
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    To develop gene editing technologies for pineapple genetic improvement
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Development of a simple and reliable diagnostic assay for the detection of Bogia Coconut Syndrome in Papua New Guinea
    Kokonas Indastri Koporesen
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Rapid detection and quantitation of Campylobacter jejuni/coli in processing.
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Exosome and Bio/Nanoparticle Characterisation Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Sorghum with more feed grain energy: bigger grain with higher starch content
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Optimisation of the single drop genomics assay to detect food pathogens
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Breaking the nexus: more biomass in cereal grain
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Accelerated crop development and environmental compliance of agricultural and food systems
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Confocal Microscopy Infrastructure for Plant Sciences
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Biotechnological Control of Fungal Diseases in Crops
    Indo-Queensland Biotechnology Projects Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Plant heterotrimeric G proteins: New roles in defence, stomatal control and ABA perception
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Putting smells into context: Using in vivo technologies to understand plant-insect odour signalling.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Controlled Environment Facilities for the Challenges of the 21st Century
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Establishing the role of heterotrimeric G-proteins in plant defence
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN)
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Plants, Pests and Pollinators: Combining Technologies to Crack the Odour Code
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    The other half of the G-protein story: Functional analysis of the plant G-protein gamma subunits.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Benign strategies to engineer nematode resistance in plant crops. Applications to other plant pests.
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Structural characterisation of developmentally regulated g-proteins (DRG)
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2004
    Codon usage/tRNA matching: a novel method of gene regulation in plants
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2005
    Field study and evaluation of transgenic pineapple plants with synchronised flowering and altered ripening characteristics
    Golden Circle Limited
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2003
    Field study and evaluation of transgenic pineapple plants with synchronised flowering and altered ripening characteristics (LINKED WITH 99/GOLDEN001g)
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Control of ripening in papaya and mango genetic engineering
    Republic of the Philippines: Dept Science & Tech.
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 2005
    Control of ripening in papaya and mango by genetic engineering
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 2002
    Manipulation of strawberry quality for fresh and processing markets
    DIST - Department Industry, Science and Tourism
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Control of ripening in non-climateric fruits: Strawberry as a model
    DIST Bilateral Science & Technology Collab.Program
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Molecular characterisation of ATDRG1: A member of a new class of G proteins in plants
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1998
    Promoter analysis of aim-1, a multi-functional gene controlling ethylene production
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Control of ripening in mango and papaya by genetic engineering
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Jimmy Botella is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Development of new genome editing technologies for crop improvement

    The advent of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) has had a profound impact on plant biology, and crop improvement. Nevertheless, CRISPR technology is still in its infancy and a number of important problems need to be solved before it can be widely used in multiple crops. Projects are available to explore new CRISPR systems and develop more efficient approaches to improve genome editing applications in crops.

  • Molecular mechanisms of crop disease resistance

    Heterotrimeric G-proteins (G-proteins) play a vital role in the defence against many important crop pathogens. Our group has been a pioneer in establishing the importance of these proteins in plant immunity and has recently produced a series of CRISPR mutants to further analyse the molecular mechanisms controlling disease resistance in crops. Projects are available to study the defence response in a number of transgenic CRISPR tomato lines.

  • Development of point-of-care diagnostics for agriculture

    Early detection of pests and pathogens is of paramount importance in reducing agricultural losses. One approach to early detection is point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, which can provide early warning and therefore allow fast deployment of preventive measures to slow down the establishment of crop diseases. Among the available diagnostic technologies, nucleic acid amplification–based diagnostics provide the highest sensitivity and specificity, and those technologies that forego the requirement for thermocycling show the most potential for use at POC.

    Projects are available in the design and evelopment of POC diagnostic applications for multiple diseases in crops.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Control of flowering in pineapple by genome editing.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov, Dr Guoquan Liu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of efficient genome editing technologies for crop improvement

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterizing the role of the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit in plant defence

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Yuri Trusov

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biotechnological improvement of Vanilla planifolia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of Transgene-free Genome Editing Technologies for the Improvement of Dicot Crops

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Peter Crisp

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genetic diversity of coconut populations prioritised for breeding and conservation in Papua New Guinea

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins, Dr Sundar Kalaipandian

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genome editing tools for monocot crop improvement

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Peter Crisp

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of on farm diagnostics via nanopore for the pig industry.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Noman Naseem, Dr Lida Omaleki, Dr Conny Turni

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Jimmy Botella directly for media enquiries about:

  • Agricultural biotechnology
  • Biology - plants
  • Biotechnology - plants
  • Botany
  • Genetic engineering - plants
  • Genetic modification
  • Genetics
  • Genome editing
  • GM foods
  • Molecular biology - plant
  • Plant biotechnology
  • Plant genetic engineering
  • Plant molecular biology

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